Myo 5 Hand Gesture LED Display
This project utilizes the Myo Device to track movements and coordinate them to an etched display. It entails five movements fist, spread fingers, wave in, wave out, and double tap of fingers. The Myoduino operates through the use of 12 EMG and IMU sensors.
Supplies
The materials required to build this project are following:
- A Myo Arm-Band
- An Arduino Uno
- Windows PC computer
- 5x LED lights (Must be compatible with 5V)
- A standard breadboard
- 4x 75 ohm resistors
- 15 Jumper Wires
- MyoDuino project downloaded
- .220"X18"X24" Clear Acrylic Sheet
- 11/32 2ftX4ft plywood sheet
Tools
- Circular Saw
- Dremel with carving/engraving attachments
- Hammer
- Measuring Tape
Download MyoDuino Software
The Myoduino software serves as the conduit between the Bluetooth capabilities of the Myo device and the PC. This library has five pre programed gestures including fist, wave in, wave out, spread fingers and a tap.
- Download the Myoduino software for the included link
- Open the Arduino software and go into the sketch menu on the top lefthand corner
- Select include library, include .zip library, then locate your folder
- The folder is now added and can be used with the software
Constructing the Circuit
To draw power and control the circuit from the Arduino software you must construct the following circuit. Pins 4-8 correspond to each hand pose as directed in the Arduino code (fist, wave in, wave out, fingers spread, and double tap).
- Attach pins 4-8 to the first A column of the breadboard, in the pictures these correspond to the short white wires.
- Place a 75 ohm resistor in the space following these wires
- Attach your choice of LED's to the next position in the breadboard.
- Ground each LED by attaching it into the final blue column of the breadboard. BE SURE TO GROUND ALL LED's (you don't want any accidental shorts)
- ground the circuit back to the Arduino using the GND pin on the right hand side.
- Plug the Arduino Uno into the Computer
Construct Your Display
The display will allow the LED's to light up pre-etched patterns in the acrylic. This display consists of what I did but can be as elaborate or as simple as you want to make it.
- You will need to cut 5 4x4 inch squares of the acrylic material, 2x 4x4.25 rectangles of wood and 2x4.75 rectangles of wood. I also cut 6 .5x4 inch rectangles to be used as separations between each acrylic pane.
- Using your Dremel tool hand carve whatever shape you want to be lit up on the acrylic. This must be done in a mirror image on the back for the light to shine through. The Test image was my first time, it definitely gets easier as you go on.
- Assemble the box with all acrylic panes inside. Use the fastener of your choice whether that be finishing nails or wood glue.
- Drill five holes on the bottom of the display directly under the etchings for the led to slide through
Starting the Pre-Programed Project
The preprogramed example in the Myoduino library is a sample project that encompasses all needed components for this project. This program can be made as complex as you want or can even be simplified.
- Be sure the Arduino Uno is plugged into the computer
- From the Arduino software go to the examples in the top left corner
- select MyoControler, Examples, SimpleOutputFromPoses.
- Verify and Upload the Code to the UNO
Setting Up the Myo Software
To set up the Myoduino device follow these steps.
- Connect your Myoduino device to your laptop using the provided blue cable.
- Launch the program.exe file that pops up.
- While you can use the original settings, we would recommend calibrating them yourself. Click on the manager, the custom profile.
- Enter the Myoduino folder once again then select the bin file. As it opens select the COM port that your Arduino is attached in. This can be found in the bottom right hand corner of the Arduino software.
- Be sure to uncheck the locking feature by unchecking the box
- Perform gestures to be sure that it is working correctly
Have Fun
Upon placing the breadboard under the display it should be lighting up. As we said before this can be made as complex or as simple as you want it. Our final working display is shown above.